POS1484-HPR LUMBOPELVIC STABILITY, TRUNK POSITION SENSE, AND SPINE POSTURE IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS
Authors: Y. Akkubak, T. Duger, A. Kucuk
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Axial Spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) are chronic systemic inflammatory rheumatological diseases characterized by axial skeletal involvement and enthesitis. The trunk is the central key point of the body, playing an essential role for postural control, the coordination of the extremities, and functional activities. The systemic, inflammatory nature of ax-SpA, chronic pain, inflammatory cytokines, changes in the bone and ligaments of the spine may affect lumbopelvic stability, trunk position sense, and spine posture. Objectives We aimed to investigate lumbopelvic stability, trunk position sense, and spine posture in patients with ax-SpA. Methods Twenty ax-SpA patients (mean age; 33.65± 5.72, 75% female) and 20 age- and gender-matched healty controls were included in the study. In ax-SpA patients, mean time since symptom onset was 9.75±4.82 years and mean time since diagnosis was 6±3.97 years. Lumbopelvic stabilization was evaluated by a pressure biofeedback unit (Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback Unit, Chattanooga Group Inc., Hixson, TN, USA). Trunk position sense, as indicated by trunk reposition errors (TRE), was assessed with a digital inclinometer. Thoracic and lumbar curvature tests werw performed with a digital inclinometer. Results Comparisons of lumbopelvic stability, trunk position sense and posture were shown in Table 1. Lumbopelvic stabilization values were significantly lower in the ax-SpA group when compared to the control group (p&lt;0,001). TRE, in which higher scores indicate poorer trunk position sense, was higher in the ax-SpA group compared to the control group (p&lt;0,001). The degree of thoracic curvature was higher (p = 0.001) in the ax-SpA group compared to controls whereas the degree of lumbar lordosis was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.444). Table 1. Comparison of lumbopelvic stability trunk position sense, and posture of the groups Characteristics AxSpA group (n=20) Control group ( n = 20) p Lumbopelvic stabilization (mmHg, median; min–max) 43.65 (41.3;51.3) 48,6 (46;62,6) p&lt;0.001 **b Trunk position sense (TRE) (°,median; min–max) 3.6 (0.66; 8.6) 1.3 (0.66; 2) p&lt;0.001 **b Spine posture Thoracic curvature (°,median; min–max) 39,95 (29.3;53.3) 34.3 (29.6;3) p = 0.001 *b Lumbar curvature (°, mean ± SD) 39,78 ± 7,60 37,9 ± 7,82 p = 0.444 a TRE trunk reposition error, AxSpA Axial Spondyloarthritis, SD standard deviation *p &lt; 0.05. a Independent samples t test. b Mann–Whitney U test. Conclusion According to our results, patients with ax-SpA had poor lumbopelvic stability, trunk position sense, and spine posture. The multiplicity and complexity of the symptoms of patients with ax-SpA require multifaceted symptom management interventions. For this purpose, consideration of the training of lumbopelvic stability, trunk position sense, and spine posture might be beneficial in optimal treatment planning. References [1]Rudwaleit, M., Van Der Heijde, D., Landewé, R., Listing, J., Akkoc, N., Brandt, J., &amp; Sieper, J. (2009). The development of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (part II): validation and final selection. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 68(6), 777-783. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ard.2009.108233 . [2]Celenay, S. T., Mete, O., Coban, O., Oskay, D., &amp; Erten, S. (2019). Trunk position sense, postural stability, and spine posture in fibromyalgia. Rheumatology international, 39(12), 2087-2094. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-019-04399-1 . Disclosure of Interests None declared